After leaving Southampton yesterday, the weather swiftly became more 'exciting'. Wind of up to force 9,frequent showers, and large swell led to this morning's cereal finding its way onto the floor.
Lee cloths were in full use so that at least some of the crew managed to catch some shut-eye. Meanwhile, the watches continued into the early hours of the morning. Possibly the main event was the joint effort between aft port and aft starboard watches in bracing the yards around at 4a.m.! (Or indeed Fwd Starboard squaring the yards at 2215!). Today was the setting for this voyage's first mass 'happy hour', which was fully attended and continued the full participation and enthusiasm that has characterised this voyage so far. The ship joined several other ships in dropping anchor just off Margate at about 11:00, to try and reduce the effect of the incoming 8-9 gale force winds. The ship will be anchored overnight, and if the present weather continues (which it will) it will take most of tomorrow to complete the next leg of our journey to London. There is a lot of inter-watch rivalry heating up as everyone prepares for tonight's quiz! We are having a gale of a time.
Update By: Doug and Becca, Aft Starboard Watch